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Domenican monks established themselves in Santa Maria Novella in
the same period and in a geographically-symmetrical way to that
of the Franciscans of Santa Croce.
From 1221, when they obtained the church of Santa Maria delle Vigne
(at that time outside the city walls), the Dominicans began to develop
the monastery complex of Santa Maria Novella, starting work around
about 1245.
The construction of the church was entrusted to two architect monks:
Ristoro da Campi and Sisto da Firenze; building work began in 1279
and was completed in 1325 under the supervision of Frà Jacopo
Talenti, who was also responsible for the bell-tower.
The facade of the church was financed (as can be seen by the inscription
on it) by Giovanni Rucellai, who commissioned Leon Battista Alberti
to carry out the task. He completed it in 1470, producing an original
and harmonious covering, a fusion of ancient Gothic and Renaissance
innovation, using the classical colours of white and green marble.
The interior of the church has a wealth of art works and frescos,
and there is an extremely beautiful pulpit designed by Brunelleschi.
The Santa Maria Novella complex also includes the monastery with
the large cloister and the distinctive green cloister, the museum
(of the same name), the pharmacy, and the extensive piazza onto
which the church faces.
The church has witnessed and been involved in many memorable events:
St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, and Pope Marino V all
came here, the latter consecrating the church during the lengthy
period of his stay in the city; Pope Eugenio IV was present for
the important Council of Florence in 1439. In the sixteenth century,
Grand Duke Cosimo I had the Spaniards who came to the city with
his wife Eleonora put up in the Sala del Capitolo, and this is the
reason why the room is known as the Salone degli Spagnoli.
The court of the Inquisition was also held in this church.
Like the other important churches of the city, Santa Maria Novella
also allowed the important Florentine families to have their own
chapels, which were frescoed by excellent artists. The piazza is
embellished with two obelisks from the sixteenth and nineteenth
centuries, and was the site for the popular "corsa dei cocchi".
In 1933, it was partially transformed into a garden, with triangular-shaped
lawns and a round marble basin in the middle.
The piazza was originally used by the monks for their sermons, then
it was used for religious spectacles, and during the Inquisition
those people found guilty of heresy or witchcraft were put on display
here.
The name Santa Maria Novella has also been given to the main railway
station in Florence, which is just across from the church.
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